The Hurry Up: Mack Honored, Walker Highlights Showcase Big Talent, New LB to Focus on and More

By Jeremy Birmingham on October 7, 2015 at 7:45 pm
Austin Mack at today's presentation in Fort Wayne.
Austin Mack
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The Hurry Up is your nightcap of Ohio State recruiting news, catching you up on the day’s events with an ear on the ground for what’s next.


MACK HONORED, FOCUSED ON FINISHING STRONG

This afternoon I made my way to beautiful Fort Wayne, Indiana, to take in the US Army All-American Bowl presentation for Buckeyes' commitment Austin Mack.

The four-star wide receiver is the second player ever from his prestigious school's football program to earn the honor, joining Notre Dame All-American linebacker Jaylon Smith.

Mack talked to Eleven Warriors about the honor and his future in Columbus.

Thank you to the Mack family and Bishop Luers for allowing me the opportunity to be a part of this afternoon's ceremony. Pardon my stammering on the interview, I don't often do video stuff, so I hope it didn't come across too blundering and/or informal.

WALKER EXCELS DESPITE DISAPPOINTING START FOR DEPAUL

Although his Spartans football team isn't off to the start he'd hoped for, Kareem Walker is still having a pretty darn good senior season. The top-ranked running back in the country and 31st-ranked overall prospect in the 2016 class has his midseason highlights ready for your consumption.

Walker's feet are quick and exceptional but it may be his vision and ability to see a hole that sets him apart from the average tailback. If there's one area that he'll need to work on by the time he gets to Columbus it could be his lower-body strength; the Big Ten will be bruising on his legs.

As it stands, Walker is still on track to graduate in December and enroll early with the Buckeyes.

WARINNER WORKING TOWARDS OFFERS

Prior to the start of the season, I visited Olentangy Liberty High School to check on Brendon White and got my first glimpse of Edward Warinner, the son of the Ohio State assistant coach with the same name. While he's not yet picked up any scholarship offers, Warinner – a 2018 prospect – is content with how his sophomore year is going.

"I've done well, I think," Warinner said when asked how he'd evaluate his season so far. "We've played a couple of teams that ran the ball no more than 10 times so some games have been pretty uneventful. I was moved to (middle linebacker) at halftime of our first game from an outside position so I have way less pass-coverage responsibility."

Warinner is 6-foot-2, 205 pounds as a sophomore and doesn't have much concern about what position he plays. He's more worried about continuing to win games for Liberty.

"I've always dropped real well in coverage, but in reality I couldn't care less what position I play," Warinner added. "We have some big games coming up so I'm just trying to get the wins."

Of course, like any recruit with college aspirations, Warinner is just trying to get better and make a name for himself. He's had a quiet Fall so far.

"I haven't heard much from colleges yet," Warinner said. "I'm hoping that picks up after I send out my highlight tape. My dad really likes the film, so I hope other coaches will too."

NEW LINEBACKER NAME EMERGING?

Ohio State has offered a handful of 2016 linebackers in the past few weeks and a new name could emerging as the next one to watch.

Four-star Miami commitment Zach McCloud, a 6-foot-2, 220-pounder from Lake Worth, Florida, has been pledged to the Hurricanes since last November but the possibility of coaching changes in Coral Gables has people talking.

McCloud has offers from Alabama, Auburn, Florida State and others. Ohio State has recently picked up their interest and according to McCloud, he's willing to at least entertain the conversation. No visit to Columbus has been planned, but he's one to watch.  

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